NCJ Number
206486
Journal
Violence Against Women Volume: 10 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2004 Pages: 860-879
Date Published
August 2004
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This article examined the barriers faced by Indian immigrant women in accessing domestic violence services in Canada.
Abstract
While much progress has been made in programmatic and policy responses to domestic violence, it has become clear that many of the programs and services provided to victims do not accommodate the cultural and ethnic diversity of the population. It is instructive to review the Canadian example because Canada’s domestic violence policies are considered among the most advanced in the world and are set within a well-articulated policy of multiculturalism. Despite these policies, Indian immigrant women in Canada continue to face barriers to program access and support. Research questions concern what domestic violence programs in Canada offer battered women, and what keeps many Indian women from benefiting from them. Also considered are the modifications or alternatives that would assist Indian immigrant women who are victims of domestic abuse. The author conducted an exploratory study that contrasted current program approaches and policies against the lived experiences and culture of Indian immigrant women. Official documents and manuscripts were reviewed and interviews were conducted with a snow-ball sample of immigrant Indian women and with battered women’s advocates and activists. Results indicate that Canadian policies do not meet the complex needs of abused immigrant Indian women. Cultural issues involving family hierarchy combined with the complexities of caste and community pressures create substantial barriers for these victims in seeking the help they need. Policies should strive to create networks of culturally specific institutions to support immigrant women and immediate actions should be taken to link these women with programs that provide support and reduce isolation without removing them from their homes. Comparative policy analyses of domestic violence initiatives in Canada and India would inform policymakers in both countries. References